Couch



March 21, 1939. T, EST ET AL 2,151,257

COUCH Filed Jan. v 51, 1936 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS [/mer 7. Wales! f/erberf A Wues z ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 21, 1939 COUCH Elmer T. Wuest and Herbert A.

Wuest, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to Adam Wuest, Ina, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 31., 1936, Serial No. 61,798

16 Claims.

I This invention relates to a couch, and especially to means whereby the couch maybe manipulated or extended to provide a bed.

An object of the invention is to provide an extensible couch or the like with novel actuating means whereby a tractional or movable section of the couchmay be extended or retracted with the expenditure of a minimum of time and effort, and without requiring the operator to stoop or to lift any part of the couch.

Another object of the invention is to accomplish the foregoing object by the employment of means which are simple and inexpensive,

, durable, and of such character as to be either normally concealed, or exposed in such a manner as to enhance the appearance of the couch.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

20 Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a couch embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the Fig. 1 device, the covering material being broken away.

means of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective view showing a, second form of actuating means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental elevational a third form of actuating means. 30 Fig. 6 is a plan view of the couch, with the covering material removed, showing a construction adapted for use with either actuating means of Figs. 4 and '5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modification.

The couch, or so called studio couch, illustrated in the drawings, comprises a stationary frame 8 and a relatively movable frame 9 which, if desired, may be rendered tractional by the provision of suitable rollers Ill. The movable or tractional frame 9 may comprise the various legs l2 which support a rectangular structure l3 having associated therewith any suitable type of mattress supporting means M. The means l4 illustrated in the drawings, is a wire fabric attached to the rectangular frame elements by means of a multiplicity of springs IS. The movable frame may conveniently be built of angle iron sections.

The stationary frame may comprise a suitably upholstered seat portion l6 having front legs l1 and rear legs 20, or an equivalent structure for spacing the seat structure from the floor a distance suflicient to permit retraction of the movable frame to a position beneath the seat structure [6. The stationary frame 8 may inview showing Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an actuating cludea back rest, if desired, which may be in the form of a panel or a rail such as l8 supported at its ends upon rear uprights l9.

right-s referred to may provide also the The uprear legs 20 of the stationary frame, (see Fig. 1). It will be noted that the rail it,

when the rail type of back rest is utilized, is spaced from the plane of the seat portion it. The vide a support for pillows upon the seat portion l6 rail is adapted to prowhich stand on edge near the rear thereof.

The stationary and movable frames are adapted to be connected together in any suitable manner, to limit the movement of the frame outwardly, and to frame when moved relative to the frame. To this end, scissors arrangement of tractional guide and stabilize said stationary there is provided the crossed bars 2! and 22.

As is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, the bar 2| has its rear end pivoted at 23 upon. or relative to the stationary frame 8, adjacent the rear portion thereof,

and the bar 22 has its forward end pivoted at 24, upon or relative to the inner frame member 25, of the movable frame 9. The opposite ends of the crossed bars are received. in the slots 26 and 21 of the stationary and movable frames, in the frames, if desired, or they may respectively. Such slots may be formed be formed in separate parts attached to the frames, in accordance with common practice.

Each bar may carry a lug 28 to ride in its associated slot. From the foregoing, it, will be evident that retraction of the movable frame 9 to a position beneath the stationary frame 8, in Fig. 2, will cause the lugs 28 of the crossed bars to travel along the slots 26 and 21,

the movement to a position at the extreme lefthand end thereof (referring to Fig. 2).

referred to, the frame 9 During will be definitely stabilized and guided to its retracted position.

The stabilizing and guiding function occurs also upon extending the movable frame.

It should be noted that the crossed bars 2| and 22 are pivoted together at a point 29 intermediate their ends.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for mechanically extending and re.-

tracting the movable frame 9. may be referred to generally The said means as, an actuating means which, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, comprises a horizontal handle or lever 30 to be swung through substantially a quarter-circle arc, and arranged frame when disposed in to retract to the dotted line posi- Particular in the inoperative or dotted line position indicated, the handle or lever is disposed substantially within or parallel to the plane of the back rail I8, in such a manner that it will not interfere with the placin of cushions against the back rail. When the handle or lever 30 is moved to the forwardly extended position of Figs. 1 and 2, it is substantially parallel to the side of the couch, so as not to interfere with the use thereof as a bed.

The handle 30 is operatively connected to the movable frame 9 by means of a horizontal swing bar or the like 32. Both the swing bar and the handle are fixedly mounted upon a vertical pivot rod 33, the ends of which pivot rod are journalled in bearings 4 and 5 carried by the upright or standard I9. The bearings may be individual or separate, as shown in Fig. '7, or they may be in the form of perforated extensions 36 and 31 of a bracket 38. The members 30 and 32 may be fixed to the pivot rod in substantially parallel and spaced relationship. The means providing the bearings may be screwed, bolted, or otherwise secured to one of the rear uprights, for example, upright 20. Thus, the pivot rod 33 is enabled to rotate through an arc of approximately ninety degrees (90), while handle 30 and the rod 32 swing in substantially horizontal planes.

At the free end of the swing bar 32 there is provided a follower M, which may be in the form of an upwardly or downwardly turned section of the bar, the follower being adapted for movement within a guideway or track 42 associated with the movable frame 9. The guideway or track may be made in various forms, there being shown a satisfactory construction comprising a member 43 spaced from the rail but secured thereto by means of rivets or other fasteners 44. The spacing between member 43 and rail 25 is sufficient to receive the follower M of the swing bar, and the guide bar may be of a length approximating the length of said swing bar 32. The construction just described provides for automatic retraction and extension of the movable frame 9, when the lever or handle is moved from the full line position of Fig. 1 to the dotted line position indicated at 3|, and vice versa.

The horizontal swing bar 32 preferably, but not necessarily, moves in substantially the plane of the supporting surface I4 of the removable frame. This results in extreme simplicity, elimination of parts, and compactness of the structure. It is to be understood that the guideway or track 42-43 may be dispensed with if desired, by connectingthe free end of the swing bar to the movable frame otherwise than as illustrated in Fig. 1, for example, by means of a link 39 (Fig. '7) pivoted at its ends to the swing bar and to the frame or scissors structure. Also, the guideway or track may take other forms that will readily suggest themselves after a study of the present disclosure. The exact shape or configuration of the handle 30 is immaterial to the invention.

In accordance with Fig. 4, which is a modification, the handle I30 extends forwardly of the couch while the swing bar I32 is in the inoperative or retracted position. In other words, the swing bar and the handle are fixed to the vertical pivot rod I33 at right anglesto' one another. It will be noted also that the actuating handle I30 is turned upon itself as at 45, so as to extend about the rear upright I9 and then project forwardly and downwardly, terminating in a forward end 46 which may abut the stationary frame 8. The reference character 41 indicates a latch of conventional design, for detachably fixing the forward end of the arm to a part of the stationary frame. In this construction, the bracket I38 is the same as that of Fig. 3, but the arrangement of the actuating lever or handle I30 is such that the tractional frame (not shown on Fig. 4) will be extended upon swinging movement of the handle or lever I30 outwardly from the side of the couch. Thus, when the device is extended, the handle or lever I30 will assume a position outside the body line of the couch but substantially in the plane of the back rest I3. It will be understood that the actuating mechanism of Fig. 4 is adapted to be associated with the movable and stationary frame parts in the manner disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, or its association with the couch parts may be in accordance with the teaching of Fig. '7.

Attention is now directed to the modification illustrated by Fig. 6 wherein the swing bar 48' is arranged to apply force upon the scissors arrangement comprising the bars 49 and 50, at or near the pivotal connection 5| thereofjinstead of applying such force directly upon the movable or tractional frame; The scissors arrangement of the Fig. 6 construction is identical with that of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, wherefore the explanation thereof need not be repeated. It will be understood, however, that by connecting the swing bar 48 to the pivot 5| or to the scissors arrangement, the vertical pivot rod 52 (which corresponds with the rods 33 and I33 of Figs. 3 and 4) is greatly limited in its rotational movement. The approximate movement of the swing bar 43 is'indicated by the angle between the full line position of Fig. 6 and the dotted line position thereof as indicated by the character53. Because of the limited swinging movement of the swing bar, and of any handle that might be associated therewith, it will be seen that a handle such as that of Fig. 1 could not conveniently be employed, as it would objectionably extend across the bed and within the body lines thereof- The invention contemplates the application of a handle means of the Fig. 4 character, however, to the Fig. 6 construction, for such a handle would swing outwardly of the side of the couch upon extension of the movable frame. The manner of applying the handle I30 of Fig. 4 to the Fig. 6 construction is indicated generally by the broken lines I30. Should it be desirable, however, to apply the principle of the Fig.

is applicable. In accordance with Fig. 5, the actuating handle or lever 54 is not fixedly secured to the vertical pivot rod 55, but has a sort of ratchet connection therewith. The connection may be more properly referred to as a lost-motion joint, one form of which is illustrated. Said joint may comprise a bayonet slot 56 in a tube 51 which surrounds and is fixed to the pivot rod, said bayonet slot being adapted to receive an extending lug or stud 58 carried by the handle or lever. By means of the lost-motion connection, the swing bar 59 may be moved through the limited are as explained in connection with the Fig. 6 actuating means, by movement of the handle 54 through a similar arc. Upon completion of I handle, to the Fig. 6 under- 7 structure, a means such as is disclosed in Fig. 5 I

said arcuate movement, however, the lug 53 would to the concealed position beneath the rail I8 of theback rest. It will be understood that the type of handle or lever action disclosed in Fig.5 is applicable to the particular construction shown in' Fig. 6 but that it could be applied also to the is manipulated to extend or retract the movable frame. It may be stated also that the slot 61 may be obviated, if desired, by connecting the free end of the swing bar to the or to any other part of the scissors arrangement, by means of the'pivoted connecting linkarrangement illustrated in Fig. 7.

In'conclusion, attention is directed to the fact that couches embodying the present invention need notbe provided with a back rest, (see Fig. 7). The upright or post l9 may be short, or just long enough to provide a suitable support for bearing means such as 34-35. In fact, the up right or post may be the rear leg of the couch, and the handle or lever back rest,

to the position stated.

2. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary frame including a seat portion to extend the shiftable frame.

movement to extended and retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, bearing means ing the shiftable frame as the hand lever is manipulated in the manner stated.

4. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary frame including a seat portion, a shiftable frame arranged for movement to extended and retracted positions relative to the sta- 7. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary frame including a seat portion, a back above and over the seat corresponding ends 8. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary frame including a seat portion, a back rest disposed along the rear edge of the seat portion, and means for supporting the back rest in spaced relationship to the plane of the seat portion, a shiftable frame arranged for movement to extended and retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, means carried by said shiftable frame providing an elongated guideway, a swing bar pivotally supported at one end upon the stationary frame for movement through a circle arc, a follower near the opposite end of the swing bar, for engaging the elongated guideway of the shiftable frame, a manipulating lever associated with the swing bar, for swinging movement from a position beneath the back rest to a position overhanging the seat portion, and means whereby the maninpulating leveris afforded limited swinging movement independently of the swing bar.

9. A convertible couch comprising in combination a substantially horizontal stationary frame, a shiftable frame arranged for movement to extended and retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, and means for actuating said shitfable frame, comprising a swing bar and a link, said link pivotally connecting one end of the swing bar to a part of the shiftable frame, and means including an extensive lever mounted for arcuate movement above and over a substantial area of the stationary frame, and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the stationary frame, for moving the swing bar.

10. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary frame including a seat portion, a shiftable frame arranged for movement to extendedand retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, and means for guiding said frame, comprising a pair of scissors arms pivoted together intermediate their ends, corresponding ends being pivoted one to the stationary frame and one to the shiftable frame, and opposite corresponding ends being shiftably connected, each one to one of the frames, a manipulating lever mounted upon the couch for movement portion, and means including a swing bar, associated with the lever, and a link on the swing bar, for transmitting movement of the lever to the shiftable frame.

ll. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary frame including a seat portion, a shiftable frame arranged for movement to extended and retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, and means for guiding said frame, comprising a pair of scissors arms pivoted together intermediate their ends, corresponding ends being pivoted one to the stationary frame and one to the shiftable frame, and opposite being shiftably connected, each one to one of the frames, a substantially vertical pivot rod journaled on the stationary frame, a manipulating lever fixed to the pivot rod for extension transversely therefrom and normally providing an arm rest for the couch, and means associated with the lever for transmitting movement of the 12. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary rectangular frame including a seat portion, a shiftable frame arranged for movement to extended and retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, and means for actuating said shiftable frame, comprising an upright pivot rod rotatably supported at one corner of the stationary frame, an extensive lever movable with the pivot rod and adapted to be lever to the shiftable frame.

arcuately swung in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the seat portion of the stationary frame and over a substantial area of the seat portion adjacent to said one corner at which the pivot rod is supported, a swing bar movable with the pivot rod to describe an arc beneath the seat portio and a link having opposite ends pivoted relative to the shiftable frame and to the swing bar, for extension of said frame upon manipulation of the lever arcuately as stated.

13. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary rectangular frameiincluding a seat portion having ends; a forward edge, and a rear edge, a shiftable frame substantially parallel to the seat portion and arranged for movement to extended and retractedpositions relative to the stationary frame, cooperative means on the frames for effecting said movements of the shiftable frame to the extended and retracted positions and including an upright rotatable rod having an elongated manipulating lever supported thereon to overhang the seat portion at an elevation above and in substantial parallelism with the seat portion, and bearing means rotatably supporting said rod close to one corner of the stationary frame, so that the lever, when swung to rotate the rod, will describe an arc of a circle whose center is located approximately, at that corner of the frame at which the bearing means is located, the lever being thereby movable over a substantial area of the seat portion from a position lengthwise of the rear edge of the seat portion to a second position lengthwise of an end of the seat portion.

14. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary rectangular frame including a seat portion having ends, a forward edge, and a rear edge, a shiftable frame substantially parallel to the seat portion and movable to ex-' tended and retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, cooperative means on the frames for effecting said movementsof the shiftable frame to'the extended and retracted positions and including an upright rotatable rod having an elongated manipulating lever supported upon the rod at an elevation above the seat portion, and bearing means rotatably supporting said upright rod close to a rear corner of the stationary frame, so that the lever, when swung to rotate therod, will assume position and describe an arc of a circle whose center is located approximately at one rear corner of the couch.

15. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary rectangular frame including a seat portion having ends, a forward edge,

an arm-rest and a rear edge, a shiftable frame substantially parallel to the seat portion and movable to extended and retracted positions relative to the stationary frame, cooperative means on the frames for effecting said movements of the shiftmal arm-supporting position along the seat portion end, to rotate the rod and thereby shift the movable frame, and latch means for precluding accidental swinging movement of the arm rest from the normal arm-supporting position.

16. A convertible couch comprising in combination a stationary frame including a seat portion, a shiftable frame arranged for movement beneath the seat tracted positions relative to the stationary frame, means carried by said shiftable frame providing an elongated guide-way of a length approximating half the length of the shiftable frame, a swing bar of a length approximating the width of the stationary frame and pivotally supported at one end upon the stationary frame for move- 10 ment through an arc, a follower near the opportion to extended and re posite end of the swing bar, for' engaging the elongated guide-way of the shiftable frame, and a manipulating lever mounted for movement with the swing bar, for arcuately advancing the follower along the guide-way in opposite directions to extend and retract the shiftable frame relative to the stationary frame. 

